Father Peter Bradbrook

Priest of St. James 1965 - 1979

Father Bradbrook studied at Kelham Theological College, was made Deacon in 1960 and Priested 1961. He served at St. Oswald, Chester and St. Ethelreda, Fulham before coming to St. James in 1965. During the time he was here, the parish changed and the population increased from about 3,000 to 8,000. The Diocese wondered if a worship centre should be built in West Heath, but it was eventually decided not to, as the Parish Church was not so badly placed. Father Bradbrook say: his task as Parish Priest to build a fellowship, a congregation which blended folk from the new, growing community on West Heath, with the older community of the town around the Church.
The present Sunday 'programme of worship was implemented with Father Bradbrook’s arrival. A Service booklet was introduced to help newcomers especially, to follow the Service. With the development of Synodical Government came liturgical changes which we tried, and on the whole felt that what we had (the Interim Rite, which preceded the 1928 Service known as Series I) was better than Series II. Then came Series III which we used once a month to emphasise the family aspect of Eucharistic Worship, and we ‘experimented’ with a forward altar at the chancel step. Staging from the building alterations facilitated this possibility. Otherwise, the his possibility. Otherwise, the standard and tradition of devotion and ceremony was maintained as previously established. Weekday Services were increased but a daily celebration was never achieved. Festivals were important and especially the Patronal Festival, which we shared with St. James’, Gawsworth in the time of Archdeacon House, and Corpus Christi.

During Father Bradbrook's ministry, the present Vicarage was acquired in Holmes Chapel Road, we also received two very good bequests and these were used on the church itself. An interior roof at eaves level, was installed, part of the west end of the church was partitioned off, forming a kitchen, toilets and meeting room. The church was rewired and completely redecorated. This has proved to be a most successful development.